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Development of a Four Wheel Steering System for a Formula-SAE Collegiate Design Competition Race Car

Institution: Michigan Technological University
Funders (7)
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Why This Project Is Important 

Michigan Tech's’s F-SAE team needs a 4ws system design that increases handling for dynamic competition events. This project is a small part of a larger team effort to design an open wheel race car for use in autocross style racing. The team is made up of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and business students that design, build, and compete in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sponsored design competitions. These students gain knowledge and experience in engineering and design that can be applied in industry upon graduation.

Project Description 

Michigan Technological University's Formula SAE (F-SAE) team is a student enterprise that designs, builds, and competes with an open wheeled race car, seeks performance gains in handling through a four wheel steering system. To succeed in the competition against other teams from around the world, all possible systems that increase performance must be explored.

Michigan Tech's’s F-SAE team needs a 4ws system design that increases handling for dynamic competition events. Development of this system will use modeling software along with real world testing data to predict how the system must perform. Real world testing will be completed with a prototype system and test vehicle to validate predictions made during design. Results from this project will be used to design the chassis of future vehicles, specifically the F-X18 which will be used for competition in the 2018 season. The drivers of the car must feel confident and be capable of using the system to increase performance during skidpad and autocross events. The future members of the F-SAE team need documentation of the developed system to replicate the successes and avoid any shortcomings of the developed prototype.

Meet the Researchers

Sam Perram

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Trevor Buswell

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James De Clerck

Jim De Clerck is a Professor of Practice in the MEEM Department at Michigan Tech. Prior to joining the Michigan Tech faculty in 2009, Jim worked at the GM Noise and Vibration Center in Milford, Michigan. Jim currently advises the Michigan Tech FSAE Team and teaches classes on engineering design and structural dynamics.



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$755
of $10,000 fund goal
The average donation for this project is $108
0
days left
8%
funded
$20
last
Funding is Closed

What Your Donation Can Help Us Do: 

  • Allow more rapid development of new technologies for the team.
  • Help to acquire more data from testing.
Although there are no rewards for this project, all donors will receive an email receipt with tax-deduction information.

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Gifts to projects listed on SUPERIORIDEAS.ORG are received and processed by Michigan Tech Fund. Michigan Tech Fund is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code acting on behalf of Michigan Technological University. It is the policy of Michigan Tech Fund that a portion of the gifts and/or income therefrom may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds.